Saved by Beauty: Adventures of an American Romantic in Iran

By Roger Housden
"When Housden (Ten Poems to Change Your Life, 2007, etc.) was a young man living in London in the early 1970s, he fell profoundly and permanently in love with Iranian literature, music, art and architecture. His vision of and attachment to Iran were highly idealized, however, based on second-hand cultural experiences that were "never tested by reality." In 2007, as he was casting about for his next writing project, he had a flash of intuition. He would undertake an exploration of "the other Iran," the country behind the politics and sensationalist headlines. The guides along this journey would include Rumi, the Persian mystic poet he had held close to his heart since youth; outspoken artists, thinkers, politicians and spiritual leaders; and everyday men and women. In his travels across Iran, Housden discovered a vibrant country made all the livelier by its abundant internal contradictions. Though austere on the surface with its apparent adherence to the fundamentalist tenets of Islam, Iran was a place where anything—from alcohol, Western films, drugs and sex—could be "delivered like a pizza" and where nose jobs and "Elvis haircuts" were the most popular and pervasive forms of social rebellion. At the same time, it was also a place steeped in tradition and a magnificent history that had deeply impacted the cultural and religious development of the West. But most movingly of all for Housden, a self-proclaimed romantic, Iran was where "Beauty [was] one of the names for God.""  (Kirkus Reviews)  Check Our Catalog

Northern Spain ( DK Eyewitness Travel Guides )

"DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Northern Spain" will lead you straight to the best attractions Northern Spain has to offer, with over 700 detailed maps, illustrations, and color photographs. You'll find detailed background information on the best things to do in Northern Spain, from visiting the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, to tasting the flavors of Northern Spain's local produce and classic dishes, to viewing the spectacular Pyrenees mountain scenery, lush forests, and coastline of this stunning region. This bestselling travel guide is packed with beautiful cutaways and floor plans of all of Northern Spain's major attractions, as well as 3D aerial views of its most interesting districts. Features include a town by town listing of the best Northern Spanish sights, beaches, markets and festivals, with enlarged and enhanced maps of Northern Spain throughout. The "DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Northern Spain" is fully updated and expanded, with dozens of reviews and recommendations for the best hotels and restaurants, and tips to make the most of the best beaches and cultural highlights of Northern Spain"  (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog

Roadfood: The Coast-To-Coast Guide to 800 of the Best Barbecue Joints, Lobster Shacks, Ice Cream Parlors, Highway Diners, and Much More

By Jane Stern
"For road warriors and armchair epicures alike, the seventh edition of "Roadfood" is the key to finding some of the tastiest treasures in the United States. Totally revised and updated, the seventh edition covers more than 700 of the country's best local eateries, including more than 200 brand new listings along with up-to-date descriptions of old favorites."  Check Our Catalog

Frommer's San Antonio & Austin

By David Baird
"The Drag, a pedestrian strip near the University of Texas, features a colorful mix of stores and cafes. See chapter 13.
Detailed maps throughout.
Exact prices, directions, opening hours, and other practical information.
Candid reviews of hotels and restaurants, plus sights, shopping, and nightlife.
Itineraries, walking tours, and trip-planning ideas.
Insider tips from local expert author." (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Boston

By Patricia Harris
""DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Boston" will lead you straight to the best attractions Boston has to offer, with over 500 detailed maps, illustrations, and color photographs. You'll find detailed background information on the best things to do in Boston, from visiting the historical Harvard University to taking one of many historical walks to watching a Red sox Game. This bestselling travel guide is packed with beautiful cutaways and floor plans of all of Boston's major sights, 3D aerial views of its most interesting districts, and now a new pullout map with detailed sheet maps and useful transportation information.
Features include everything from a section on Four Great Days Out in Boston to where to go for a beer at the end of the day, with enlarged and enhanced Street Finder mapping throughout. "DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Boston" is fully updated and expanded with dozens of reviews for hotels in Boston, recommended restaurants, and tips for shopping and entertainment."  (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog

Moon Arizona

By Tim Hull
"Freelance writer and news reporter Tim Hull offers up the best of Arizona, from rafting down the Colorado River to exploring the art galleries of Sedona. Tim includes creative trip strategies, such as Driving the History of Arizona and Feel the Heat: A Romantic Summer Weekend in Phoenix. As an Arizona native, Tim guides travelers to the Grand Canyon State's best-kept secrets, including "sky islands," small woodlands found on mountain ranges in the Sonoran desert. Explore Red Rock Country, visit the Navajo Nation, and hike in the Grand Canyon--"  (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog

Fodor's Venice & the Best of Northern Italy [With On the Go Map]

By Matthew Lombardi
"Full-color guide - Make your trip to Northern Italy unforgettable with illustrated features, 40 maps, and 200 color photos.
Customize your trip with simple planning tools - Top experiences & attractions - Practical advice for getting around - Easy-to-read color regional maps.
Explore Venice, the Lake District, the Riviera, and beyond - Discerning Fodor's Choice picks for hotels, restaurants, sights, and more - "Word of Mouth" tips from fellow Fodor's travelers - Illustrated features on Venice's St. Mark's Basilica, wine in the Piedmont, and shopping in Milan - Best Alpine adventures, world-class museums, and out-of-the-way villages.
Opinions from destination experts - Fodor's Italy-based writers reveal their favorite local haunts - Frequently updated to provide the latest information."  (Publisher Description)   Check Our Catalog

National Geographic Traveler Istanbul & Western Turkey

By Tristan Rutherford
"The relaunched "National Geographic Traveler" guidebooks are in tune with the growing trend toward experiential travel, providing more insider tips and expert advice for a more authentic, cultural experience of each destination. These books serve discerning, curious travelers and supply information and interpretation not available on the Internet.
In response to the interests of today's traveler, the acclaimed "National Geographic Traveler" series includes exciting new editorial features, a contemporary redesign, and inviting new covers."  (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog

Railway Maps of the World

By Mark Ovenden
"... Mark Ovenden has produced a mesmerizing compendium of historical and contemporary railway maps and posters from every corner of the world. Hundreds of images, covering two centuries of railway advertising, surveyors' plans, travel posters, satellite photos, and station wall maps, are combined with text brimming with vivid historical details and charming anecdotes.
Part One presents the stunning visual material chronologically, from the Liverpool and Manchester Railway of 1830 to the proposed 2020 high speed networks of China. Part Two is an atlas of maps from more than one hundred countries from Algeria to Argentina to Zambia and Zimbabwe. Appendixes include a trove of factoids, track stats and information about rail operators and rail museums. "Railway Maps of the World" is a visual delight for your eyes, making it a must have for every train fanatic-armchair or ticketed-history buff, and lover of graphic design. "  (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog

Moon Kentucky

By Theresa Dowell Blackinton
" Native Kentuckian Theresa Dowell Blackinton gives readers an insider's look at the Bluegrass State, from the revelry of the Kentucky Derby Festival to quiet, cool Mammoth Cave. Blackinton provides suggestions for unique trip itineraries, including Derby Fever Any Time of Year, Gone Fishin', and The Best of the Bluegrass State. Complete with tips on where to find the best bluegrass tunes and barbecue in Owensboro and how to rent a house boat to cruise the Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area, "Moon Kentucky" gives travelers to tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience." (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Cruise Guide to Europe and the Mediterranean

"Capture the essence of cruising through the beautiful Mediterranean with DK's multi country guide to Europe's most spectacular cruising destinations. From Oslo to Athens, the guide covers 70 ports of call. Lush photos and illustrations, unique 3D models, and bird's eye view maps of all the major sites ensure that you don't miss a thing. Clue up on the basics, from ship etiquette to the best bars and restaurants ashore. Discover where the locals go and where to go for relaxing entertainment, world-class sites, and retail therapy. As with all "DK Eyewitness Travel Guides," this book shows you what others only tell you, offering all you need for an unforgettable cruise. Countries include: Croatia, Denmark, Estonia & Latvia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece & Cyprus, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Netherlands, North Africa, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Syria, and Turkey.
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: Packed with photographs, illustrations, and maps Cutaways and floor plans of all the major sights 3D aerial views of the city's most interesting districts Huge selection of hotels, restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues Specially devised walking tours, special events info."  (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog